2021 Faculty of Medicine Excellence Awards

Winner

Faculty of Medicine’s Data Analytics Team

The Data Analytics Team have had a number of successes in leading and progressing innovative projects this year. The most notable was successfully launching the cloud-based Tableau Server which enables up-to-date dashboards, analytics and visualisations to be accessed at any time or any location. The delivery of this project is expected to pave the way for other analytical teams across UQ to make use of the cloud-based server. These innovative projects were delivered while the team continued to provided expert system and content advice – often acting as an interface between diverse data and reports systems across UQ amd the Faculty. 

Team members: Cheryl Connor, Lila Singh-Peterson, Michael Richards

Commendation

The ID-NET (Infectious Disease epidemiology) team

For innovative research and solutions to address infectious disease prevention, control and elimation. 

Team members: Professor Colleen Lau, Dr Helen Mayfield, Dr Angela Cadavid Restrepo, Dr Amalie Dyda, Dr Lisa McHugh, Dr Luis Furuya-Kanamori, Dr Deborah Mills

Nominees

• Chris Camelleri & Dr Rudi Prasad
• Critical Care Research Group
• Dr Adam Ewing
• Dr Judith Dean (2)

Winners

Associate Professor Susan Jordan

Associate Professor Susan Jordan has shown exemplary leadership in her role as School of Public Health Research Committee Chair and has been instrumental in the development of its first research strategy. The strategy, which was adopted in early 2021, was led by Susan who actively engaged and collaborated with staff from across the school to provide a clear set of goals and proposed actions for School of Public Health to work towards and implement. In addition, in her formal role, Susan continues to provide unwavering support and encouragement to students, early career researchers and teaching and research staff despite juggling a large program of research and a busy teaching load.

Associate Professor Mark Chatfield

Associate Professor Mark Chatfield received an outstanding 12 nominations in this year’s awards for providing excellent service, support and guidance as a Biostatistician across the Faculty. Mark has been described by those who work with him as a person who kindly contributes his time to go above and beyond, carefully understand often complex systems data and provide expert advice, regardless of the client. He is a true asset to the Faculty and UQ.

Faculty of Medicine Executive Asssistant Team

The Executive Assistants team, which includes Adina Trutwin, April Mansell and Taleah Carson, have continued to provide outstanding and tireless service during 2021 despite the challenges and uncertainty that the team have faced through the year. The team have remained positive and continued to adapt to ongoing changes to ensure that a high level of support and exemplary service is provided to the Faculty Executives.

Team members: Adina Trutwin, April Mansell and Taleah Carson

Commendations

Debbie Croyden from the Rural Clinical School for her dedication to rural medical education - demonstrated by her expectional support developing the regional medical pathway.   

Dr David Simmons from the School of Biomedical Sciences for his consistent excellence in teaching and research, and his exemplary role in running core research facilities.

Garvey Group Transition Team in the School of Public Health for successfully overseeing the relocation and establishment of a large research team in an extremely tight timeframe.

Team members: Professor Elizabeth Eakin, Dr Celia Webby, Christina Balmori, Alison Manley, Phil Smit, Stephen Brooke, Chris Shannon and Justin Flohr

Nominees

• Alison Dahler & Shani Lamb
• Associate Professor Michael Piper
• Associate Professor Paul Dawson, Professor Brian Gabrielli and Ms Sarah Doyle
• Associate Professor Paul Griffin
• Australasian Cerebral Palsy Clinical Trials Network: Education Program

• Celia Giumelli
• Centre for Online Health

• Children's Health Queensland Clinical Unit - Professional Staff Team

• CHRC Finance Team

• Dan Striegl (2)
• Dr Lisa Tom
• Elyanna Fong
• Julie Nicoli
• Kristy-Lee Jackson
• Lisa Dingwall
• Megan Grace
• Melissa Kerr (3)
• Michael Richards
• Ms Adele Rankin
• Ms Alison Manley
• Osa Kallstrand Thor
• Physiology and Pharmacology Teaching Laboratory Services Technical Staff
• Primary Care Clinical Unit Clinical Placements Team

• Rachael Appleby
• The Research and Statistical Support Service Team

• Research Partnerships Team

• Simon Forsyth
• St Lucia Clinical Team Professional Staff

• St Lucia Clinical Unit Team (6)

• Taleah Carson
• Teaching and Assessment Administration Team

• UQDI Research Support team

• UQRCS Research Group

• Yiota Lallas

Winner

Jill Penridge

Jill joined the Faculty in mid 2020 as Manager at UQ Diamantina Institute, in which her professional leadership had an outstanding impact on the operations, strategic development and culture of the Institute. She successfully led the professional support team at UQDI and ensured the integration of financial, research development, grant management and laboratory support for the Institute. She made key contributions to the operations of the Institute through her role in establishing the Partnerships and Development Committee and initiatives to establish consumer engagement. Jill worked closely with the director and professional support team to drive objectives in performance and achievement for DI. Jill was also instrumental in the transformation of collaborative working at the Translational Research Institute, an important objective for the Faculty and UQ.

Commendation

Belinda Ryan from Student and Academic Administration for demonstrating exceptional professionalism and providing continued leadership and support for staff.

Nominees

• Dr Uli Siebeck
• Joanne Cabot
• Lucinda Coalter
• Professor Len Gray
• Sarah Wishart

Winners

Dr Margaret Henderson

Dr Margaret Henderson from the Primary clinically Unit works tirelessly to create interactive, relevant content which enables agentic learning for MD students. Margarets efforts in developing the course curriculm – including recruiting and training teachers, preparing and supporting students and coordinating placements – has enabled curriculm development to be adapted based on a students needs. Margaret works diligently and goes above and beyond to ensure that not only her students receive quality learning and experience in the field, but that her staff feel well supported and have a positive work culture. Margaret is truly a stalwart and a great leader in the Primary Care Clinical unit.

Professor Marina Reeves

Professor Marina Reeves is an outstanding leader within the Faculty. Her dedication to her work is evident by the mentorship and unwavering support she provides to both HDR and Early Career Researchers to strive for excellence in their work. In particular, Marina’s leadership  has been instrumental in transforming the partnership between the Faculty and Graduae school to a collaborative and solution focussed partnership, which in turn has created a positive culture in which HDR students are motivated to achieve their best. Her invaluable guidance, knowledge and and innovation is a true asset to the Faculty and those she mentors.

Nominees

• Associate Professor Jason Ferris
• Associate Professor Kristen Gibbons
• Associate Professor Michael Piper
• Associate Professor Peter Simpson
• Associate Professor Riitta Partanen
• Associate Professor Simon Reid
• Associate Professor Susan Jordan
• Dr Ben Barry (2)
• Dr Jacky Suen
• Dr Nadeeka Dissanayaka
• Professor Anthony Smith
• Professor David Paterson (2)
• Professor Elizabeth Coulson (3)
• Professor Gabrielle Belz (2)
• Professor Len Gray (7)
• Professor Roslyn Boyd

Winner

Emma Ryan

Over the past 18-20 months, Emma has played a significant role in supporting students who have been significantly impacted by border restrictions due to the pandemic. She played an instrumental role in the recent bulk travel exemption approval, which required her to lead a range of stakeholders across all levels. Throughout this whole process, Emma has strived to create a culture that is inclusive, acted with high levels of integrity and has displayed the qualities of a great future leader.

Commendation

Dr Karen Shelley and Rebecca Johnson from the School of Public Health for providing a pro-active service that supports and empowers academic staff.

Nominees

• Anna Efstathiadou
• Dr Sara Gollschewski
• Dr Stacey Cole (2)
• Dr Tracey Harvey
• Mrs Belinda Ryan
• Yiota Lallas

Winners

Dr Nadeeka Dissanayaka

Nadeeka is an internationally recognised leader in Ageing, Mental Health and Neurodegenerative disease research. In this role, she leads and inspires others to work towards novel solutions to improve assessment and treatment of psychiatric aspects of neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Parkinsons Disease and dementia in all forms. Among her many achievements in 2021, her work in initiating and leading the Consumer and Community Involvement group at UQCCR has been described as instrumental – in which she has managed to turn the centre’s researchers’ focus onto the importance of involving consumers in research planning, research outputs and grant applications, through not only leading by example, but by creating a framework for others to follow. She is a rising star in leadership, whose dedication and enthusiasm for others - and her work makes her a valued mentor and supervisor to all future rising stars.

Associate Professor Michael Piper

Mike has been a leader of his lab group at School of Biomedical Sciences for over a decade now with an impressive track record of leadership, mentorship, and scientific excellence. All while maintaining a deep passion for teaching and learning. As a PhD supervisor, Mike has provided exceptional support and backing to his students, teaching them to develop their own research skills by encouraging them to drive their own project through independent experimental design with supportive guidance from his practical experience. This in turn has allowed students to develop a level of critical analysis that leads to high quality research outcomes. His leadership, exceptional guidance and mentorship are unparralled.

Nominees

• Associate Professor Carlos Salomon (3)
• Associate Professor Liam Caffery (2)
• Dr Amy Hickman (2)
• Dr Jacky Suen
• Katie Brooker and Camille Guillerey
• Professor Marina Reeves

Winners

Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo

Dr Aideen McInerney-Leo is an exemplary role model of future leadership and is extremely generous with her time and energy in support of others. Her many important contributions in the past year to the Faculty include her continuing support for women, mentorship of colleagues, advocacy for consumer engagement and contributions to equity, diversity and inclusion. This year, she has also made a notable contribution to ensuring a safe environment for staff and students through her work in establishing First Responder Training and Ethical Bystander Training at TRI. Aideen was also the first person to undertake this training. She also played a key role in Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention Week. Her mental health and wellness initiatives have raised awareness and provided practical training for colleagues in a previously neglected area of importance for the health and wellbeing of our staff and students.

Faculty Mental Health Champions and Safety Team

The Faculty of Medicine Mental Health Champions – along with the Faculty Safety Team have worked hard to ensure the mental health and wellbeing of Faculty staff and students is supported. Covid has made it difficult for people to stay connected, so this team has strived to provide opportunities for people to interact through a extensive range of activities and initiatives. The success of these mental health and wellbeing campaigns in difficult circumstances is due to the passion and dedication, and combined effort of the Mental Health Champions and the Safety Team.   

Team members: Jenyl Brady, James Fraser, Tania Brooks, Paul Lovelock, Robyn Oram and Deon Knight

Nominees

• FoM OHS Team

Winners

The Centre for Online Health

The Centre for Online Health is highly regarded as Australia's leading academic centre and recognised internationally for its telehealth expertise, which has been an incredibly successful approach to addressing health concerns in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Professor Anthony Smith and the Centre for Online Health team have been actively engaging with Indigenous communities for over 17 years, forming lasting collaborative relationships with community-controlled health services to enable more equitable access to healthcare.

Their achievements are reflected in the pioneering work done establishing a telehealth-supported screening program for school-age Indigenous children at risk of ear disease in Cherbourg and subsequent projects which have inspired new telehealth services for people living with diabetes and dementia. This award win reflects the supberb efforts of the Centre for Online Health which has actively engaged and significantly contributed to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led health services throughout Queensland.

Team members: Associate Professor Liam Caffery, Dr Sisira Edirippulige, Dr Helen Haydon, Professor Anthony Smith, Dr Centaine Snoswell, Dr Emma Thomas, Dr Jaimon Kelly, Dr Natalie Bradford, Dr Farhad Fatehi, Dr Danette Langbecker, Dr Maike Neuhaus, Dr Bruce Shar, Dr Lawrence Sim, Ms Megan White, Professor Jeanine Young, Dr Rita Hwang, Dr Mojtaba Lotfaliany, Dr Annie Banbury, Lisa Garner, Sean Halloran, Louise Harding, Adam Mothershaw, Steve Nichols, Monica Taylor, Mr Justin Collier and Ms Kathryn Vitangcol

The Herston Reconcilation Garden Team

The Herston Reconcilation Garden team, which comprises of Dr Preetha Thomas, Dr Britta Wigginton, Gaja Kerry Charlton, Chris Shannon, Brad Mortimer, Nell Angus and Francis Nona, all of whom have demonstrated the spirit of reconciliation through their hard work and commitment in initiating, designing and implementing a garden that embraces and celebrates Indigenous culture. The garden, which was designed inline with UQ’s commitments in the Reconcilation Action Plan and built by Indigenous landscaping business, Multhana Property Services provides a space for learning, which enables connection, collaboration and and continued appreciation of Aboriginal culture, knowledge, identity and history.

Team members: Dr Preetha Thomas, Dr Britta Wigginton, Gaja Kerry Charlton, Chris Shannon, Brad Mortimer, Nell Angus and Francis Nona

Nominees

• Lucinda Coalter
• Professor Maree Toombs (4)

Winner

Lisa Harrold, UQ Centre for Clinical Research

Lisa Harrold exemplifies the spirit of giving and philanthropy – both professionally and personally. Her tireless work and dedication to raising vital funds to support women’s cancer research, is only heightened by her personal donations through the UQ staff giving program and the Executive Dean of Medicine’s Priority Fund. This year, Lisa happily accepted the role of Giving Day Ambassador and promoted philanthropy to friends, collegues and family. Her well-known warmth and caring nature ensures donors to UQ Queensland Centre for Gynaecologic Cancer are appreciated and informed about how their support makes an impact. 

Winner

Dr Tatiane Yanes

Dr Tatiane Yanes is an early career researcher with the Integrating Genomics into Medicine group and a genetic counsellor at the Queensland Children’s Hospital. Over the past year, she has proved herself to be a rising star by demonstrating and building a strong academic track record, creating a positive research environment that fosters inclusivity and by positively contributing to the culture within her group. Dr Yanes was awarded her PhD in 2020, on the up-and-coming topic of communicating polygenic risk scores (PRS) for breast cancer and is internationally and nationally recognised as a research expert in the field. Dr Yanes is not only a remarkable academic, she is also a dedicated member of her professional and institutional community. Dr Yanes is an exemplary rising star and fantastic contributor to Diamantina Institute, who has not only achieved excellence in research, but has been a committed, hardworking and enthusiastic contributor to multiple service roles at the Institute.

Commendations

Associate Professor Henry Marshall from the UQ Northside Clinical Unit for his leading research to help improve the health outcomes of people with lung cancer through innovative screening methods.

Dr Natasha Reid from the Centre for Health Services Research for her instrumental role in the Ageing and Geriatric medicine team and her exceptional commitment to research.

Nominees

• Chloe Yap
• Dr Arutha Kulasinghe (2)
• Dr Camille Guillerey
• Dr Centaine Snoswell (2)
• Dr Cheneal Puljevic
• Dr Kirat Chand (3)
• Dr Seth Cheetham
• Dr Taylor Dick
• Nicola Warren